Landscape Variables Research Articles

Starfield’s 4Cs of NCD management in primary healthcare: a conceptual framework development from a case study of 19 countries

IntroductionFaced with a backdrop of an increasing chronic disease burden from an ageing global population compounded with rising healthcare costs, health systems are required to implement cost-effective, safe and equitable...

Prioritizing Cross-cultural Competence in the 21st Century EFL Classroom: High School Teachers Perspectives and Pedagogical Practices

In today’s interconnected world, cross-cultural competence is a core skill for an individual to be able to navigate diverse cultural landscapes and effectively communicate and collaborate in cross-cultural situations. This study aims to gain insights from High School teachers of English on their perspectives and practices in developing cross-cultural competence among students. It also aims to understand how teachers perceive the importance of these skills, the extent to which they prioritize them in their teaching, and the challenges they face in fostering cross-cultural understanding. For doing this, a mixed methods approach was used to explore teachers’ perspectives, practices and challenges related to developing cross-cultural competence in their classrooms. The study examined 63 high school EFL teachers using a structured online survey with multiple-choice and open-ended questions as an instrument for data collection. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically; whereas the quantitative data were analyzed using the SPSS. Results show that participants view cross-cultural competence as relevant and important for students. The study also explored that understanding cultural differences and similarities is among the top skills teachers intend to develop through discussions and debates. The participants also declared that students’ level and insufficient resources and materials are the main challenges they face in integrating cross-cultural competence in their teaching. Most importantly, it was revealed that teachers are in desperate need of training and textbook updating. These findings provide policymakers with valuable insights to ensure the integration of cross-cultural competence in today’s EFL classes.

User-Centred Privacy and Data Protection: An Overview of Current Research Trends and Challenges for the Human-Computer Interaction Field

A user-focused technological approach is essential for privacy and data protection, so a systematic mapping study was conducted to review how researchers approach such matters. Of 8867 papers, 231 were systematically selected and analysed. Through thematic analysis, we identified three main themes: improving privacy policies, raising privacy awareness, and controlling information disclosure. Notably, 45% of the studies lacked user involvement, highlighting a diverse landscape in the extent of real user participation in research evaluations. This study provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in promoting privacy-preserving human-computer interaction.

Becoming community economy: how community-supported agriculture diversifies farm labour

ABSTRACT Analyses of diverse and community economies have formed a fruitful basis for studying postcapitalist possibilities in agrifood systems and the economy. However, diverse economies scholarship has foregrounded the study of the economic diversity landscape encountered and sustained in community economies more than the process of becoming a community economy. To address this imbalance, we study labour in three Portuguese community-supported agriculture initiatives longitudinally rather than cross-sectionally to reconstruct the trajectory of labour diversification from the initiation of community-supported agriculture (CSA) over several years. The analysis of the reconstructed trajectories shows that the CSA setup led to labour diversification in all three case studies. Nevertheless, the findings suggest that “community” should be understood as a possible emergent property rather than an inherent quality of community economies such as CSA. Furthermore, the findings suggest that empowerment and disempowerment dynamics are crucial in diversifying work relations in community economies. The longitudinal approach followed in this study can be fruitfully adopted to various community economies within and beyond agrifood systems to reveal how postcapitalist relations emerge and consolidate in becoming a community economy.

Mobility in an Imagined Global Knowledge Space: Chinese STEM Undergraduates’ Decision to Study in Europe

This paper examines how the “imagined global knowledge space” influences the mobility of Chinese STEM students in Europe, based on interviews with 28 participants. It finds that, firstly, Chinese students perceive a diverse global knowledge landscape, acknowledging China's rapid progress and questioning the traditional “center-periphery” model. Secondly, students’ views on the global knowledge space vary by their exposure to this space, career plans, and disciplinary background, impacting their motivations to study abroad-whether knowledge-seeking, pedagogical, or consumer-oriented. Thirdly, this study finds that Chinese STEM students in Europe view destination choices through a triadic “US/Europe/other countries” perspective, moving beyond the traditional “center-periphery” dualism model. With rising geopolitical tensions between China and the US, Europe emerges as a favorable alternative for education. The findings highlight that students’ study-abroad decisions are shaped not by fixed global structures but by subjective, imagination-based perceptions of the global knowledge space.

From sky to ground: decoding migratory bird’s habitat selection along the multi-scale sequence

ContextMigratory birds select habitats by observing landscape patterns at different scales as they descend from higher elevations, weighing habitat availability. Understanding how this selection process operates at multiple scales and how decisions at different scales interact is crucial for identifying the optimal scale for efficient habitat conservation.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the regularity of changes in migratory birds’ habitat selection in response to landscape variables over multi-scales, using the Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) as an example.MethodWe developed Scale Response Models and Habitat Selection Models using a sequence of nine scales (5–200 km) within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway to evaluate the stork’s scale-sensitivity and assess the change of explanatory power of landscape variables across scales at different periods.ResultScale-sensitivity of storks was highest during the wintering period. The explanatory power of the suitable habitat indicator is higher at larger scales, but decreases with decreasing scale; while the opposite is true for the unsuitable habitat indicator. At large scales, wetland indicators dominated in breeding period, while water indicators dominated in other periods; at smaller scales, unsuitable habitat indicators had stronger impacts in wintering period.ConclusionsWe revealed a nested relationship in multi-scale habitat selection among storks: “benefit-tendency” decisions at larger scales provide context and constraints; “risk-avoidance” decisions at smaller scales determine settlement. Due to internal and external factors, migratory birds displayed different scale-sensitivities and landscape preferences across periods. Our findings highlight the scale-dependence of organisms’ behavior and landscape characteristics, providing guidance for multi-scale habitat conservation.

Identification and Optimization of Attractive Territorial Spaces in Gansu Province Based on the Supply-Demand Ratio of Ecosystem Services

Crafting high-quality Attractive Territorial Spaces(ATS) has become an essential approach to enhancing the quality of national territorial spaces at present. Previous studies have offered multidimensional identification methods but have overlooked the intrinsic connections between ATS and factors such as ecology, culture, and society. This study proposes a systematic method for identifying and optimizing ATS, which includes assessing the supply-demand ratio of ecosystem services(ES), interactive detection of driving factors, identification of ATS, landscape pattern analysis, and a matrix of optimization strategies for ATS. The results indicate: (1) There is a significant spatial imbalance between the supply and demand of ES in Gansu Province, with the western region serving as a crucial water source and carbon sink area, while the eastern region stands out in the provision of cultural services. The supply-demand ratio analysis reveals an imbalance in key services such as water resources and soil conservation(SC), particularly in densely populated and rapidly developing economic regions where the demand is urgent. (2) Geographic detector analysis reveals that Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI) and population(POP) are the two main driving factors affecting the spatial differences in ES, with NDVI having a high explanatory power for the spatial heterogeneity of carbon sequestration(CS) services, and POP significantly influencing recreation(RE) and aesthetic landscapes(AL) services. (3) Landscape pattern analysis shows that urban spaces exhibit fragmentation; agricultural spaces, though concentrated, lack landscape diversity and connectivity; ecological spaces, despite having larger core areas, have weak connectivity between patches and a high degree of fragmentation. Based on the above analysis, this study has constructed the Attractiveness Territorial Index (ATI), combined with the main functional areas of Gansu Province's territorial space planning, identified ATS, and proposed targeted optimization strategies for territorial spaces. The framework for identifying ATS established in this study effectively implements the requirements of higher-level planning, clarifies guidance and control requirements, and is conducive to enhancing the value and quality of territorial spaces, as well as providing systematic and holistic protection for elements of attractiveness.

Utilizing Olive Fly Ecology Towards Sustainable Pest Management

The olive fly (Bactrocera oleae, OLF) is a major pest of global significance that occurs in places where olive cultivation thrives. This paper highlights the economic and environmental damage caused by OLF infestations, including reduced olive oil yield and quality, disrupted supply chains, and ecosystem imbalances due to heavy insecticide use. Understanding olive fly ecology is crucial for developing effective control strategies. The review explores the fly’s life cycle, its relationship with olive trees, and how environmental factors like temperature and humidity influence population dynamics. Additionally, studying the role of natural enemies and agricultural practices can pave the way for sustainable control methods that minimize environmental harm. Climate change, intensive cultivation, and the development of resistance to insecticides necessitate a shift towards sustainable practices. This includes exploring alternative control methods like biological control with natural enemies and attract-and-kill strategies. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of OLF ecology, including its response to temperature and its ability to find refuge in diverse landscapes, is critical for predicting outbreaks and implementing effective protection strategies. By employing a holistic approach that integrates ecological knowledge with sustainable control methods, we can ensure the continued viability of olive cultivation, protect the environment, and produce high-quality olive oil.

Assessing Spatial Correlations Between Land Cover Types and Land Surface Temperature Trends Using Vegetation Index Techniques in Google Earth Engine: A Case Study of Thessaloniki, Greece

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon, combined with reduced vegetation and heat generated by human activities, presents a major environmental challenge for many European urban areas. The UHI effect is especially concerning in hot and temperate climates, like the Mediterranean region, during the summer months as it intensifies the discomfort and raises the risk of heat-related health issues. As a result, assessing urban heat dynamics and steering sustainable land management practices is becoming increasingly crucial. Analyzing the relationship between land cover and Land Surface Temperature (LST) can significantly contribute to achieving this objective. This study evaluates the spatial correlations between various land cover types and LST trends in Thessaloniki, Greece, using data from the Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) program and advanced vegetation index techniques within Google Earth Engine (GEE). Our analysis revealed that there has been a gradual increase in average surface temperature over the past five years, with a more pronounced increase observed in the last two years (2022 and 2023) with mean annual LST values reaching 26.07 °C and 27.09 °C, respectively. By employing indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and performing correlation analysis, we further analyzed the influence of diverse urban landscapes on LST distribution across different land use categories over the study area, contributing to a deeper understanding of UHI effects.

Effects of socioeconomic and human-modified landscape variables on medicinal species richness at a macroscale: the case of the Caatinga, Brazil

BackgroundEthnobiological studies at local scales have shown that knowledge of medicinal species tends to decrease as socioeconomic status and the extent of human-modified landscapes increase. However, it remains largely unknown whether these same factors can predict knowledge of useful species at broader scales and whether their interaction might create scenarios that enhance knowledge of medicinal species.MethodsTo address this, we tested whether knowledge of woody medicinal species—measured as the number of species known—is influenced by socioeconomic status, human-modified landscapes, and their interaction. We compiled and curated data on woody medicinal species from a systematic review encompassing diverse communities across the Caatinga region in North-east Brazil. Using the locations of these communities, we extracted data on socioeconomic status (measured by the Human Development Index, HDI) and human-modified landscapes (quantified as the percentage of forest loss).ResultsOur results indicate that forest loss reduces the knowledge of medicinal woody species among Indigenous People and Local Communities. The interaction between human-modified landscapes and socioeconomic status revealed a significant nonlinear relationship, with different combinations yielding varying levels of knowledge about woody medicinal species. Interestingly, socioeconomic status alone does not appear to influence this knowledge. These findings underscore that the processes shaping knowledge of medicinal species differ across scales and suggest the existence of yet unidentified emergent properties that influence medicinal species knowledge at broader scales.ConclusionThe conversion of habitats for anthropogenic use poses a significant risk to the well-being of these populations, as it reduces the availability of species used for prophylactic purposes. In contrast, the cultural traditions of Indigenous People and Local Communities, along with the implementation of regional public policies, may explain why socioeconomic status does not affect local knowledge. Moreover, our study highlights that the processes influencing knowledge of medicinal species at broader scales are not simply the aggregation of local-scale observations. Finally, we propose strategies to advance the field of macroethnobiology.

Unveiling pharmacy students' attitudes, preparedness and barriers in embracing pharmaceutical care: Insights from a UAE healthcare institution

Background: Pharmaceutical care (PC) has long been integrated into pharmacy education globally, yet its application in developing nations presents a varied landscape. This study aims to evaluate the attitudes, perceptions, preparedness, and challenges pharmacy students face concerning providing PC. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Fatima College of Health Sciences (FCHS) fourth—and final-year pharmacy students. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed using SPSS version 29. Results: Responses were received from 41 students (response rate 73%). Most students (78%) agreed that PC is valuable. Communication skills are reported to be the most prepared competency area. The most common barriers to PC provision included a lack of workplace for counselling in the pharmacy (46.4%), a poor image of the pharmacist’s role in society (46.4%), and time constraints (41.4%). Conclusion: The findings revealed that pharmacy students had a positive attitude towards PC and a range of preparedness across competencies. To better prepare future pharmacists to provide effective PC services, it is essential to provide more active learning experiences to equip students with the skills and confidence to excel as future clinical care providers.

Evolution of sample-based music authorship network

Sample-based music—characterized by the adoption of extant audio fragments (sampling) in its creation process—plays an essential role in contemporary popular music, fostering inter-generational connections between the creators that have resulted in a rich and diverse sonic landscape. The selection, manipulation, and adoption of samples heavily impact the genre, mood, texture, and finally the distinctive identity of a new musical composition. One could call the samples “cultural genes” of sorts, continually incorporated into new music to contribute to its characteristics. One can then ask how this process has taken place in history and shaped the history of contemporary popular music, which we study in this work. We specifically study the evolution of sample-based music between the years 1980 and 2019, taking cue from the citation network analysis of academic literature that intuitively follows a similar dynamic of the flow of ideas and material from the old works into new ones. First, the community structure in the artist–sample network is identified, and its relationship to distinctive musical styles and flavors is verified. A longitudinal analysis of the passing down of musical styles is then performed based on similarity between communities of distinct eras, identifying continuous temporal developments in music as well as instances of the revival of styles dormant across multiple generations, akin to “genetic atavism.” This study demonstrates the complex nature of cultural evolution using a network framework that is also generally applicable to other creative enterprises.

High school music teachers’ attitudes and practices regarding culturally responsive teaching in musical theatre production

Cultural awareness is crucial in fostering inclusive and authentically representative musical theatre productions in today’s diverse educational landscape. I designed this study to examine U.S. music teachers’ attitudes, perspectives, and the integration of strategies related to culturally responsive teaching (CRT) into their high school musical theatre productions, including the challenges they encounter and their suggestions. Analysis of responses to the electronic survey ( N = 119) indicated a strong emphasis on integrating cultural awareness across various stages of musical production, aligning with Gay’s five essential elements for CRT implementation. Teachers prioritized selecting culturally valid musicals that were responsive to students’ skills and diverse backgrounds while fostering cultural appreciation. Despite challenges such as finding culture bearers and accessing some culturally diverse materials, they did curate culturally accurate and relevant materials to deepen students’ cultural understanding, guiding them in interpreting and performing musical songs using appropriate diverse vocal styles in a healthy manner. Establishing a safe space where students felt acknowledged and could freely discuss, share, lead, and collaborate was integral to these efforts. Ultimately, these practices aimed to cultivate students’ respect for their own and other cultures, promote diversity, inclusivity, and enhance the overall quality of the musical presentation.

Increasing dosing intervals for biologics in atopic dermatitis-why, who, when and how?

Biologics approved and in development for atopic dermatitis offer life-changing clinical efficacy with a relatively banal long-term safety profile requiring no laboratory monitoring. Biologic therapies also have their drawbacks, including high payor cost and the need to be administered as every other week subcutaneous injections. Addressing these concerns, studies of longer dosing intervals have been performed in the formal clinical trial setting and during real-world clinical care. Here, we review the current progress and evidence of dose elongation strategies in biologics for atopic dermatitis. We find that across a diverse investigational landscape, a large patient population exists that is able to maintain adequate disease control on a prolonged dosing interval. Evidence of clinical predictors of maintenance of disease control using this approach is emerging, although the impact of increased dosing intervals as a strategy to mitigate side effects is lacking. Patients experiencing good disease control are ideal candidates to engage in a shared decision-making process between patients and providers that will facilitate an individualized dosing approach in practice.

Defining quantum games

In this research article, we survey existing quantum physics-related games and, based on this survey, propose a definition for the concept of quantum games. We define a quantum game as any type of rule-based game that either employs the principles of quantum physics or references quantum phenomena or the theory of quantum physics through any of three proposed dimensions: the perceivable dimension of quantum physics, the dimension of quantum technologies, and the dimension of scientific purposes, such as citizen science or education. We also discuss the concept of quantum computer games, which are games on quantum computers, as well as definitions for the concept of science games. Various games explore quantum physics and quantum computing through digital, analogue, and hybrid means, with various incentives driving their development. As interest in games as educational tools for supporting quantum literacy grows, understanding the diverse landscape of quantum games becomes increasingly important. We propose that the three dimensions of quantum games identified in this article be used for designing, analysing, and defining the phenomenon of quantum games.

An Analysis of the Decision-Making Groups of Farmers' Travel Motivation: Insights from Micro-Surveys of Travel Motivations in Rural Communities of Changshan County with Sustainable Resource Management

Although extensive research has been conducted on the tourism market, the intricate decision-making processes underlying tourism motivations remain unexplored. This study examines the theoretical foundation of tourism motivation by adjusting observation indicators based on practical considerations to devise a more scientifically rigorous measurement questionnaire. Through a comprehensive analysis encompassing basic feature analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, factor importance cluster analysis, repeated-measurement one-factor analysis of variance, K-means clustering analysis, and nonlinear canonical correlation analysis, we identified six critical motivation factors and two primary travel decision clusters from a sample of 503 rural tourists across four villages in Changshan County, encompassing diverse geographical landscapes. The key findings of this study are as follows. (1) Women and middle-aged rural tourists tend to be more involved in travel decision-making. Furthermore, a higher level of education was positively associated with increased travel intentions among rural tourists. These tourists prefer destinations rich in natural and cultural attributes that favor convenient and environmentally friendly travel modes. Family factors also play a significant role in shaping travel decisions. (2) Age demonstrated significant group differences in all six aspects of rural tourism motivation, highlighting the diverse motivations among different age groups. Notably, decision makers exert considerable influence on environmental factors. (3) Group 1, characterized by decision makers seeking a deep and immersive experience, correlates strongly with female farmer tourists, those under 30 years old, tourists from diverse occupations, and those preferring self-driving tourism modes. (4) Group 2, comprising decision-makers prioritizing leisure and enjoyment, shows a high correlation with male farmer tourists, those over 30 years old, and those favoring eco-friendly tourism. These insights provide a valuable understanding of rural tourists' motivations and decision-making processes, inform strategies for enhancing their travel experiences, and promote sustainable tourism development.

Assessing foraging landscape quality in Quebec's commercial beekeeping through remote sensing, machine learning, and survival analysis.

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) play an important role in our agricultural systems. In recent years, beekeepers have reported high colony mortality rates in several parts of the world. Inadequate foraging landscapes are often cited as a major factor deterring honey bee colony health. Few studies, if any, have yet used large-scale datasets to assess the quality of landscapes encountered in commercial pollination activities. Here, we coupled a unique dataset comprising georeferenced reports on 17,743 colonies in the province of Quebec, Canada, with data derived from satellite remote sensing, to compute landscape metrics at each visited location. We ran a Cox and a random survival forests (RSF) model with time-weighted features to predict the lifespan of colonies in various landscape scenarios. Survival estimates from our RSF model indicate that colonies foraging primarily in forested areas exhibit higher survival rates, whereas those in cranberry- and maize-dominated landscapes may face lower survival probabilities. Our findings suggest that vegetation abundance could play a significant role in shaping outcomes. Additionally, landscape diversity within a 1km radius seems to have a positive effect, with potentially greater benefits in areas where vegetation is sparse. While topography contributes valuable predictive insights, its effects are complex and challenging to fully interpret.

BDCN_UNet: Advanced shoreline extraction techniques integrating deep learning

The delineation of shorelines, marking the dynamic boundary between land and sea, is crucial for coastal management and ecological conservation. This research investigates various methods for automatic shoreline extraction from satellite images, utilizing cost-effective and regularly available remote sensing data. A deep learning framework is used for the comparison that combines semantic segmentation (UNEt) and edge detection (Bi-Directional Cascade Network, or BDCN) to make the results more accurate. The study focuses on the northern coast of Egypt, a region with diverse landscapes and significant human interventions. We’ve made progress in our methods by using advanced image processing, the CoastSat Toolkit, the BDCN_UNet framework, time series analysis, and deep learning networks to look at and keep an eye on Egypt’s North Coast’s future plans in more detail. This study captures the intricate interplay between natural and human factors in coastal environments, offering valuable insights for sustainable coastal development. The performance analysis of four models (UNet, Pyramid Scene Parsing Network, DeepLabV3, and BDCN_UNet) applied to three satellite datasets (Sentinel-2, PlanetScope, and Pleiades) showed that PlanetScope and Pleiades consistently yield higher accuracy (0.90–0.99), while Sentinel-2 proved more challenging, particularly for Pyramid Scene Parsing Network and DeepLabV3. UNet and BDCN_UNet exhibited robust performance across all datasets, especially with Pleiades delivering the best results overall.

Enhancing evapotranspiration estimates in composite terrain through the integration of satellite remote sensing and eddy covariance measurements.

Accurate evaluation of water resource systems is essential for informed planning and decision-making. Evapotranspiration (ET), a key component of water resource management, is often estimated using remote sensing techniques; however, such estimates can be subject to significant uncertainties under certain conditions. In this study, we present a novel approach to improving the accuracy of ET estimates in composite terrains. The methodology involves optimizing the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL-OPT) by integrating ground-based eddy covariance (EC) flux tower data into the satellite-based ET retrieval process. The approach was evaluated at four sites in California, each representing different land uses. Parameter optimization was achieved through Bayesian inference using the Differential Evolution Adaptive Metropolis (DREAM) algorithm, which minimized discrepancies between ET estimates derived from Landsat 8 and 9 imagery and the observed ET from EC measurements. Results from the global sensitivity analysis identified solar radiation and hot/cold pixel selection as the most sensitive parameters in the SEBAL algorithm, highlighting their critical role in reducing uncertainty in ET estimates. SEBAL-OPT demonstrated significantly improved accuracy, with root mean square error (RMSE) values ranging from 0.72mm to 1.33mm, compared to the original SEBAL parameterization (SEBAL-ORG), which produced RMSE values between 1.03mm and 2.14mm. This approach highlights that, when properly calibrated, the model can be effectively applied across diverse agricultural landscapes, regardless of the specific land use at individual sites. These findings have significant implications for water resource planning, agricultural water management, and water rights adjudication and could be applied to other remote sensing of ET models.

Culturally diverse storytelling for inclusive emergency communication: Insights from CALD communities

ABSTRACT Organizations including corporations face significant challenges in communicating emergencies with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, one of the hard-to-reach populations in this increasingly diverse landscape. Lacking inclusivity in organization-led emergency communication can pose life-threatening challenges to CALD communities. Moreover, simply translating emergency information does not represent an adequate diversity-infused strategic approach. Authentic engagement through storytelling can enliven awareness, preparedness, response, and resilience among CALD communities when facing emergencies. Through multicultural service organizations, we recruited 28 participants from CALD communities in a regional Australian city. Using narrative inquiry, we unearthed personal accounts of lived experiences about emergencies, engaging participants as active agents in diverse sense-making. The findings highlight new opportunities to enhance inclusive emergency communication that is applicable to wide-ranging organizations. The multicultural resources identified from storytelling offer practical implications for diversifying emergency communication strategies.